nks of the insult done him by the dwarf in the
wood, he would have cut off his head, had he not cried for mercy. "Ah!
vassal," says he, "thou hast defeated me. Mercy now, and do not kill me,
after having overcome me and taken me prisoner: that would never bring
thee praise or glory. If thou shouldst touch me more, thou wouldst do
great villainy. Take here my sword; I yield it thee." Erec, however,
does not take it, but says in reply: "I am within an ace of killing
thee." "Ah! gentle knight, mercy! For what crime, indeed, or for what
wrong shouldst thou hate me with mortal hatred? I never saw thee before
that I am aware, and never have I been engaged in doing thee any shame
or wrong." Erec replies: "Indeed you have." "Ah, sire, tell me when! For
I never saw you, that I can remember, and if I have done you any wrong,
I place myself at your mercy." Then Erec said: "Vassal, I am he who was
in the forest yesterday with Queen Guinevere, when thou didst allow thy
ill-bred dwarf to strike my lady's damsel. It is disgraceful to strike
a woman. And afterwards he struck me, taking me for some common fellow.
Thou wast guilty of too great insolence when thou sawest such an outrage
and didst complacently permit such a monster of a lout to strike the
damsel and myself. For such a crime I may well hate thee; for thou
hast committed a grave offence. Thou shalt now constitute thyself my
prisoner, and without delay go straight to my lady whom thou wilt surely
find at Cardigan, if thither thou takest thy way. Thou wilt reach there
this very night, for it is not seven leagues from here, I think. Thou
shalt hand over to her thyself, thy damsel, and thy dwarf, to do as she
may dictate; and tell her that I send her word that to-morrow I shall
come contented, bringing with me a damsel so fair and wise and fine
that in all the world she has not her match. So much thou mayst tell her
truthfully. And now I wish to know thy name." Then he must needs say in
spite of himself: "Sire, my name is Yder, son of Nut. This morning I had
not thought that any single man by force of arms could conquer me. Now
I have found by experience a man who is better than I. You are a very
valiant knight, and I pledge you my faith here and now that I will go
without delay and put myself in the Queen's hands. But tell me without
reserve what your name may be. Who shall I say it is that sends me? For
I am ready to start." And he replies: "My name I will tell thee without
disg